HAROLD Ryden Trophy title holder Daniel Nutter is among a group of almost 30 East Lancastrians bidding to become this year’s Lancashire Amateur champion in Manchester.

The three-day 72-hole event, which was won last year at Hesketh by Sean Towndrow of Southport & Ainsdale, began this morning.

Nutter’s Clitheroe club-mate Mark Ashworth was part of the opening group of three, along with Wilpshire’s Tony Holt, that kickstarted the competition at 7.30am.

Nelson’s Nick Uttley and Blackburn’s Steven McGlynn, previous Harold Ryden Trophy winners, are also part of a strong field hoping to make a big impact.

Chorley-based Tom Stuart was East Lancashire’s best finisher 12 months ago, when coming fourth in the event at Hesketh.

The 2009 champion, Hurst Green-based Mark Young, and Pleasington’s Jon Hurst are among the noteable absentees from this year’s event, as they compete in the St Andrews Links Trophy in Scotland.